The municipality of The Hague is investigating the feasibility of developing a geothermal well in the Mariahoeve neighborhood. Such a well would extract sustainable heat from deep underground, providing long-term and affordable heating for homes and businesses in the neighborhood. This aligns with The Hague’s plans to transition to clean heat gradually.
” For most homes and buildings in Mariahoeve, heat networks using geothermal energy are a good solution for transitioning to natural gas-free. It’s good that we can now explore a specific location for this,” says Alderman Arjen Kapteijns (Energy Transition).
The municipal executive currently prefers the parking lot at the Overbosch swimming pool and sports hall. Further exploration of this location is underway. Parking will remain possible there in the future, but possibly at different locations or with fewer spaces. The precise outcome will be part of the follow-up study. Three locations in Mariahoeve are potentially suitable:
1. the parking lot at the Overbosch swimming pool and sports hall;
2. the grass field at the GKV korfball fields;
3. and the creative outdoor area with vegetable gardens of the Magic Forest.
While the investigation is ongoing, all three potentially suitable locations will remain free from other developments.
“We want Mariahoeve to remain a pleasant and affordable neighborhood for residents and businesses in the future. That’s why we’re conducting further research at this location into geothermal energy as a sustainable heat source. We’re conducting this research step by step, in collaboration with the neighborhood, so everyone can have a good say and be aware of the issues, ” says Alderman Kapteijns.
Why geothermal energy in Mariahoeve?
Part of the deep subsurface beneath Mariahoeve is suitable for geothermal energy. A geothermal well can provide heat via a district heating network in a sustainable and affordable way. Geothermal energy is a promising and important source of clean heat for The Hague, because the deep subsurface offers potential. To utilize this renewable heat, geothermal wells must be installed at ten locations in the city. One of these wells is planned for Mariahoeve.
What now?
In the coming period, the municipality will investigate, among other things, whether the preferred location can be combined with existing functions, such as parking. It will also examine possible alternatives if this is not possible, the impact on the surrounding area, nature, and trees, and the technical, spatial, and financial implications that need to be further developed.
Residents and other stakeholders will be actively involved in this process. The first step is an information meeting for the area surrounding the preferred location. After further research, a final location selection will be made. The usual spatial planning procedures, including opportunities for public comment and objections, will then follow.
Source: Gemeente Den Haag